C.S.S.B. 144 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.S.B. 144 By: Averitt Public Health Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Within the last decade, abuse and misuse of certain prescription drugs, especially pain medications, has become prevalent. Studies have indicated that educating the appropriate health care providers about the growing problem and providing them with information will create a heightened awareness of the appropriate use of pain medication as well as the misuse and diversion of addictive pain medication. CSSB 144 requires the governing boards of several health professions to provide their members with information about prescribing pain medications and addiction. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Amends Chapter 153, Subchapter A, Occupations Code, by adding Sections 153.014 and 153.015. Sec. 153.014 requires the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners (TSBME), at least once each biennium, to provide license holders certain information regarding the use and abuse of certain drugs. Sec. 153.015 requires TSBME to provide license holders information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. Amends Chapter 202, Subchapter D, Occupations Code, by adding Sections 202.160 and 202.161. Sec. 202.160 requires the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners (TBPME), at least once each biennium, to provide license holders certain information regarding the use and abuse of certain drugs. Sec. 202.161 requires TBPME to provide license holders information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. Amends Chapter 254, Occupations Code, by adding Sections 254.013 and 254.014. Sec. 254.013 requires the State Board of Dental Examiners (SBDE), at least once each biennium, to provide to license holders certain information regarding the use and abuse of certain drugs. Sec. 254.014 requires SBDE to provide license holders information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. Amends Chapter 301,Subchapter D, Occupations Code, by adding Sections 301.1581 and 301.1582. Sec. 301.1581 requires the Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE), at least once each biennium, to provide license holders certain information regarding the use and abuse of certain drugs. Sec. 301.1582 requires BNE to provide license holders information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. Amends Chapter 302, Subchapter D, Occupations Code, by adding Sections 302.1551 and 302.1552. Sec. 302.1551 requires the Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners (BVNE), at least once each biennium, to provide license holders certain information regarding the use and abuse of certain drugs. Sec. 302.1552 requires BVNE to provide license holders information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. Amends Chapter 554, Subchapter A, Occupations Code, by adding Sections 554.014 and 554.015. Sec. 554.014 requires the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP), at least once each biennium, to provide license holders certain information regarding the use and abuse of certain drugs. Sec. 554.015 requires TSBP to provide license holders information regarding the services provided by poison control centers. The bill requires a state agency that is subject to this Act to develop materials that contain the information required by this Act not later than January 1, 2004. The materials described by this section may be provided by electronic or other means. The bill requires the state agencies that are subject to this Act to cooperate in developing the materials and to ensure, to the extent possible, that the same information is contained in the materials used by each agency. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The original provided that each license holder shall be provided the enumerated information. The substitute deletes the word "each" to allow for the dissemination of the specified information by electronic means.